Callahan: Monument To Struggle 'Hangout' Transformed To Community Center

May 25, 1986|By Jim Runnels of The Sentinel Staff

For Orlando Mayor Bill Frederick, Saturday's dedication of the Callahan Neighborhood Center is a ''milestone,'' but for Ron Starke, it means his kids don't have to play in the street anymore.

While Frederick spoke to several hundred people in front of the building, Starke was letting his daughter explore a monster sandbox at the rear.

''I never would let them come over here before, because it was a troublemakers' hangout,'' said Starke, who lives across the street. ''They had to play near home.

''This was a long time coming, but I sure am glad they did it.''

The neighborhood center at Washington Street and Parramore Avenue fulfills a 10-year dream of Orlando residents to convert the city's first all- black high school from a crumbling hulk to a source of community pride.

Frederick alluded to the political fight leading to the construction, and said completion of the $1.3 million project was perhaps the most important event in the history of Orlando's black community.

''This is a monument to commemorate the struggle'' of Orlando's black community, Frederick said.

Frederick said the building's completion proved the city's commitment to providing black residents quality facilities to brighten their neighborhoods. The brick and steel structure retains the facade and window frames of the 1921 Jones High School building. The high school was moved to a new facility in 1952, and the building became Callahan Elementary until it was closed in 1970.

The facade has been backed up with a concrete and steel support wall, with steel wind braces. The rest of the dilapidated building was razed and replaced with a brick and steel structure that features a glass atrium over a central hallway.

The hallway branches off into an auditorium, recreation room, office space and a classroom.

The neighborhood center will be used both for social activities and education programs aimed at economically deprived youngsters.

Some youngsters had fun on Saturday, scrambling over newly installed playground equipment, munching hot dogs and listening to live music provided by the city.

City crews worked far into the night finishing the landscaping and cleaning up areas where construction is not completed.

Orlando Police Sgt. Sam Ings, supervisor of the nearby Parramore Neighborhood Center, said he will spend part of his time on the new center's grounds.

Ings said there also is a possibility one of the city's summer programs will be at the center.